Max Verstappen is the world champion for season 2022. And now, his dominance has even earned him praise from his rival seven times world champion. Being one of the greats of Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton knows what success feels like. Before the Brazilian Grand Prix, the Mercedes star appreciates the efforts of the double-world champion for this season so far and says, ‘he can be proud of the job he has done’.
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Verstappen is one of the best young talents on the F1 grid and after a magnificent season with the Milton Keynes side this year, it’s tough to say that the 25 years old will lose his hold in the near future.
Last year both Hamilton and the Dutchman were engaged in an extreme battle, where Max eventually prevailed following Michael Masi’s controversial decision. But this year the Dutch lion has outshined Hamilton’s Mercedes and has won a record 14 races in a season with two races still left.
Lewis Hamilton praised the dominant performance of the Red Bull rival, Max Verstappen. The Mercedes ace told reporters at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix on Thursday, “I think he’s done an amazing job, he’s done everything he had to do. The team provided him with an amazing car and he’s delivered pretty much every weekend.”
The Briton, who is still finding his first win this year, further added, “He can be proud of the job he’s done, I know what it feels to be in a position like that.”
Mercedes are currently standing at P3 in WCC and Hamilton wants to move a step ahead for team members.
Lewis Hamilton aims to finish second at the WCC
Mercedes stands at P3, 40 points behind the Scuderia Ferrari in the Constructors’ championship. The British driver is determined to try to get second place to help increase the financial pay of team members who live in the UK.
Throughout the season, the Silver Arrows’ have struggled with their car. The team has worked hard to get better results. And now when the last two races have gone according to expectations, Mercedes star feels that they can catch the Ferrari, which was unthinkable at the beginning of the season.
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Hamilton finished P2 in the last two races and gave a tough fight to even Verstappen. So now, the Mercedes star aims to for his team to finish second in the championship in order to help his team member.
“I know how important it is for the team back at the factory in terms of bonuses, especially with energy prices and rising costs in the UK,” he said. “It’s skyrocketed, so I know how impactful and important that is for them and I know how hard we have dug deep to catch up, so it would be an amazing feeling if we could.”
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With Red Bull already having won the WCC, now it’s a fight for the P2. Do you think Hamilton and Co. can finish second place overtaking the recalcitrant Ferrari?